Senate confirms Obama nominee for D.C. Circuit

Last week, the Senate unanimously confirmed 46-year-old Sri Srinivasan as a judge on the D.C. Circuit. Previously, Srinivasan worked in the U.S. solicitor general’s office and in private practice. He has argued 25 cases before the Supreme Court, including one in 2010 in which he represented former Enron Corp. CEO Jeffrey Skilling.

Srinivasan’s appointment marks the first time President Obama has succeeded in placing a judge to the D.C. Circuit, which still has three vacancies. Before Srinivasan’s confirmation, the Senate hadn’t confirmed a judge in seven years. With Srinivasan onboard, the D.C. Circuit now has eight judges—four appointed by Democratic presidents, and four appointed by Republican presidents.

According to the Wall Street Journal, Srinivasan’s new gig could lead to even bigger career jumps; four current Supreme Court justices previously were judges on the D.C. Circuit.